Try it! You will enjoy it!

cookie vegetarian recipes

Just because it’s almost the new year doesn’t mean you can’t eat all the vegan cookies! And with Fablunch’s amazing recipes, you will definitely want to get in on this dessert action. Featured in this super easy recipe tutorial are: chocolate hazelnut cookies, chewy oatmeal raisin cookies, and coconut chocolate patties. All vegan, all delicious! These recipes only require a few simple ingredients and are perfect for when you’re looking for a fun activity to do with friends! So gather up your supplies, call a few pals over and have the ultimate cookie baking party to ring in 2018! Read the full recipes here.
The post 3 Easy Vegan Cookie Recipes appeared first on The Veggie Blog.

Hey friends, we made a 2018 lunar phase calendar that’s as much an art print as it is a calendar (it’s for sale here!), and we are giving away three of them in this post. Read on for giveaway details.
We’ve always had a fascination with the cosmos, especially the moon, and over the years we’ve learned to notice how it influences our mind (it really does!). When I was a little girl, I often had a hard time sleeping during the full moon, though I was otherwise a great sleeper. I would feel awake and hyper, with my mind going into overdrive with endless thoughts and ideas. This is when my grandma would make me valerian tea, and I sipped on it until I could finally fall asleep. Nowadays, instead of the valerian, I drink something by the magical name of moon milk to chill out during the full moon, and that recipe is below.
The more I study the moon, the less I’m surprised by the fact that the full moon has the tendency to disrupt my sleep. The moon has a profound effect on the Earth. We all know that it creates tides, but it also affects the speed at which the Earth spins around its axis, impacts the growth of seeds and plants, influences the behavior of animals, and some even theorize that life on earth would appear at a later time without the moon’s gravity. It’s a powerful energy that has an effect on us all.
The next time you have a chance to look at the night sky, take a minute to notice the moon and what it looks like. You may learn something about the state of your own mindset. New Moon energy generally signifies new beginnings, and it’s a good time to go inward and find clarity. Meanwhile, the Full Moon often delivers heightened creative energy and intensified emotions. The phases in between the New and Full moons have their own characteristics as well. It’s all endlessly fascinating.
Whether you are in the know about all the moon happenings or not, we think you will love our moon phase calendar. The calendars come in two colors, and each one is 18″ x 24″ in size. They are printed by hand at Sawtooth Editions in Providence, RI on 320 gsm Coventry Rag paper, which is the cr?me de la cr?me of fine art paper. The calendar indicates every full and new moon in 2018, as well as all the phases in between. We poured our hearts into the design, and tried to make a really cool object that also happens to be useful, and will look great on any wall. It would make for a very nice New Year gift :)
2018 is a really special year in terms of moon events, too. The year will start off with a Supermoon at the beginning of January, followed by another Supermoon at the end of the same month. Both January and March will have two full moons. The second full moon in a month is called a Blue Moon, and it’s an incredibly rare event, as the name suggests. On January 31st, there will be a Full Lunar Eclipse, as well as a Supermoon that’s also a Blue Moon (!). Because we have two Blue Moons in January and March, February will be without a full moon, an occurrence sometimes called the Black Moon. Another Full Lunar Eclipse will then occur at the end of July.
Now on to the moon milk! The main goal of this drink is to calm and soothe, and you can drink it before bed on any day, it doesn’t just have to be during the Full Moon. I often change up the ingredients depending on how I feel, and my moon milk is not always pink (sometimes it’s yellow, other times it’s white), but there are a few ingredients that remain constant. Let’s break those down: nutmeg is a natural sleep aid, ashwagandha is an adaptogen proven to help deal with stress, cardamom and ginger are great for digestion, ghee/­­coconut oil are full of healthy fats. That whole cocktail will tuck you into bed relaxed and supported. Beet powder, though optional, is a superfood in its own right, full of antioxidants and more, but if you don’t have beet powder, try adding the same amount of ground turmeric to your moon milk. You’ll color your drink a beautiful golden color and get all of turmeric’s anti-inflammatory benefits.
G I V E A W A Y: We are giving away 3 lunar phase calendars to our readers worldwide. The winners will get to choose the color of the calendar they’ll receive. To enter the giveaway, leave a comment here telling us about your favorite sleep aid drink, or how the moon affects you personally, until January 1st, 2018.
Moon Milk Print Serves: 1 Ingredients your favorite cups worth of plant milk 3-4 cardamom pods - outer green shells removed ¼ teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon ashwagandha ¼ teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon ghee or coconut oil ¼ teaspoon beet powder or turmeric Instructions Warm up the plant milk in a small saucepan over medium high heat until hot but not boiling. Pour the hot plant milk into a high-speed blender. Add the rest of the ingredients to the blender, and blend on high speed until smooth and frothy. Enjoy right away. 3.5.3226
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The post Moon Milk & 2018 Moon Phase Calendar Giveaway appeared first on Golubka Kitchen.

So we moved. Across the ocean. Its been a wild ride so far with plenty of excitement and relief coupled with awkward transitioning, and astronomical culture shock (small town Ontario is preeeeeetty different from Copenhagen). Were also renovating a very old home by Canadian standards, and the hidden surprises lurking under every lifted floorboard are creating a project slightly larger and lengthier than predicted. But wouldnt it all be so boring and predictable without those fun discoveries?! Right! Who needs a kitchen anyway? Oh wait.
Amongst the self-inflicted chaotic state of affairs, Ive actually found some peace in the simple living weve got going on. Since we dont really have any friends in our little village yet, theres been plenty of time to actually take care of myself and our family. Afternoons are spent building toy train sets, cooking big batch meals, and making snacks for the days ahead. Ive started taking aerial yoga and NIA, going for nature walks every day, and having candlelit baths on the regular. Funny what removing ones social life will make room for!
An important part of my self-care routine these past weeks is my simple ritual of making golden milk. Warm, comforting, and satisfying, this drink has everything needed to combat winter blues and movers remorse (I kid, I kid). Usually I make golden milk on the fly, one cup at a time, but recently I realized how handy it would be to just make a huge batch and have it ready to spoon into some hot milk when the mood strikes. Genius.
For those of you that arent yet familiar with this wonder drink, Im excited for the vibrant, spicy world that is about to open up to you. Golden milk, or haldi ka doodh, actually dates back thousands of years in Ayurvedic tradition where it has been used to aid digestion and respiration, prevent colds and flu, decongest the liver, ease sprained muscles and joint pain, purify the blood, clear the skin, and aid sleep. The main ingredient in golden milk responsible for all of this awesomeness is the curcumin in turmeric, a compound that is responsible for its vibrant hue. Curcumin has been widely studied for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, but it is also supports detoxification, helps balance blood sugar, and lowers the overall risk of cancer.
How do we get the most out of this powerful phytonutrient? Simply by combining it with black pepper and fat - two important ingredients in golden milk! A compound in black pepper called piperine actually helps the body absorb curcumin, and shows to increase the bioavailability of it by up to 2,000 percent. And the good news is, you only need a very small amount to reap the synergistic benefits. Then melt a little coconut oil in, and the curcumin can be directly absorbed into the bloodstream through the lymphatic system. That’s a cooperative one-two punch of absorption and deliciousness.
Once mixed, your Big Batch Golden Milk spice blend will last for up to six months. Keep it in a cool, dry place out of direct light - a closed cupboard is perfect. Do not store it right next to the stove or on top of the fridge, where the warm environment will speed spoilage. We wanna keep our medicine fresh!
The Big Batch Golden Milk recipe below makes about 120 servings, so there is plenty to divvy out to your most beloved, and even save some for yourself. Make sure to include the directions so that your lucky recipients can make golden milk themselves. Ive divided them below so that you can print out just the single serving instructions for your friends and family. I’ve also included a recipe if you want to sample just one cup for yourself before committing to an entire jar.
My version of golden milk has a few more spices than some blends that Ive tried, but this unique combination just tastes that much better. If youre on a tight budget, or you simply cannot find some of the spices listed, leave them out. The main ingredients you need are the turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and black pepper. The others are there for added health benefits and of course flavour, but the recipe will still be delicious without them.
The milk for this recipe is totally flexible. Coconut is classic, but almond, cashew, or hemp are tasty options. You can also do half milk, half water if you like. It will be less creamy, but its great if youre trying to make your milk stretch a little farther!
The most important thing to remember when making golden milk is to not overheat the spices, as they will become bitter-tasting and therefore not all that enjoyable. If you choose to use milk in your recipe, warm it gently on the stove, then remove from heat and gently whisk in the golden milk spice blend. If youre going with water, do NOT pour boiling water over the spice blend, but instead pour the recently-boiled water into a cup, let it cool for 30 seconds or so, then whisk in the golden milk spice blend. I also advise you not to add the honey or coconut oil until the spices have been stirred into the liquid youre using, as theyll incorporate easier if the spices have dissolved.
If you want to use a vegan sweetener, maple syrup is my favourite choice, but brown rice syrup, coconut palm sugar, and stevia are also good options. I also love adding a sprinkling of vanilla powder right at the end for some extra va-va-voom.
I recommend enjoying your golden milk first thing in the morning (right after your lemon water, of course!), or right before bed. If its a particularly cold day outside, this intelligent spice combo will warm your cells up from the inside out. Or, if youre looking for a luxurious way to unwind down after a long day, I find that golden milk is also a very effective sleep tonic. Whatever the time you choose to enjoy this drink, you will absolutely love its warm, and satisfying vibes. Make it a ritual yourself: spoon lovingly, stir consciously and sip gratefully.
One more thing I should mention, is that the Big Batch Golden Milk spice blend is not only delicious as a drink, but that it can also be incorporated into a number of your favourite recipes. Toss a teaspoon into a smoothie, stir some into your morning porridge or pancake batter, fold it into a basic cookie dough or cake batter, and even try it in curries, soups and stews. The flavour is warming and pungent, so use it anywhere youd like a burst of sunshiny spice that is as good as gold.
Print recipe
Big Batch Golden Milk Spice Blend
Makes approx. 120 servings
Ingredients:
1 1/­­2 cup /­­ 200g ground turmeric
2/­­3 cup /­­ 70g ground ginger
1/­­3 cup /­­ 35g ground cinnamon
2 1/­­2 Tbsp. /­­ 20g ground black pepper
2 Tbsp. /­­ 20g ground cardamom
scant 3 Tbsp. /­­ 20g ground cloves
2 1/­­2 Tbsp. /­­ 20g ground nutmeg
3 Tbsp. 20g ground star anise
1/­­4 cup 20g ground coriander
Directions:
1. Combine all spices in a large bowl. Stir well, then transfer to a large jar or several smaller ones, and seal with an airtight lid. Keeps for up to 6 months.
Print recipe
Golden Milk
Ingredients:
1/­­2 Tbsp. golden milk spice blend
1 cup milk of your choice (coconut milk is classic, but I also like cashew milk or hemp milk)
1/­­2 – 1 tsp. virgin coconut oil
1/­­2 – 1 tsp. sweetener of choice (I like raw honey)
Directions:
1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm milk until just before it simmers. Whisk in golden milk spice blend until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in coconut oil and sweetener, if desired. Enjoy!
Print recipe
If you want to make just one batch of my golden milk, heres the single-serve recipe.
Single-serving Golden Milk
Ingredients:
1 1/­­2 tsp. turmeric
1/­­2 tsp. ginger
1/­­4 tsp. cinnamon
pinch black pepper
pinch cardamom
pinch cloves
pinch nutmeg
pinch star anise
pinch coriander
I wish you all a super sweet holiday with tons of delicious food shared amongst family and friends, and that your 2018 is bursting with health and happiness. Much love to all out there, from my chilly, but cozy, little corner of the world to yours.
xo, Sarah B
* * * * * *
In wrapping up 2017, I cannot help but look on the Wild Heart High Spirit retreats with deep gratitude and pure joy. I had a strong vision for the endeavor from the beginning: gather women in a beautiful and serene space, teach them how to reconnect to their bodies through food and movement. But I never imagined just how deep these lessons would go, how profound the changes would be, and how much fun we would have! After three this year, I can confidently say these experiences are incredibly special, and I feel very lucky to work with such a talented partner to create them. Thank you to all of the women who have traveled from all corners of the earth to join us. We love you!
Here are some highlights from our trips to Bali, Ibiza, and Portugal. Click on the images below to see photos from each of our magical locations.
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We also have some very special community partners who have generously made our experiences even more abundant!
Big thanks to:
Naturgligolie
Coconut Bowls
Jukserei
Pachamama
Raw Bite
Four Sigmatic
Gourmet Print Shop
We are now weaving plans for future retreats. If you are interested in learning more or joining us one day, please sign up to our mailing list to be kept up to date. We hope to see you one day soon!
The post Big Batch Golden Milk appeared first on My New Roots.

Vegan Gluten free Christmas Cake Fruit Cake full of nuts, dried fruits, candied ginger. Soft, Flavorful and great for gifting. Vegan Soyfree Recipe.
I am not sure why fruit cakes have a bad rap. They used to be a treat we would wait for around Christmas. Soft, Sweet, full of fun stuff for us kids I guess. Maybe we just lucked out with a fabulous bakery.
I make versions of my Spelt spiced fruit cake if not baking a load of cookies every year. This version is adapted from spelt flour version. I use almond flour and rice flour to keep it gluten-free. The cake keeps well refrigerated for a few weeks if you use liquor or a week with orange juice. Serve as is or with a bourbon/­­rum glaze! Add nuts or seeds that you like, some dates, apricots, cherries. I also added some roasted sunflower seeds and chia seeds, so the cake is also great to snack on. Continue reading: Vegan Gluten free Christmas Cake – Fruit CakeThe post Vegan Gluten free Christmas Cake – Fruit Cake appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Here’s a holiday dessert that will keep everyone happy! This recipe from Simply Quinoa is vegan AND gluten-free, so it’s great for bringing to parties for guests who have various dietary restrictions. In this video, Simply Quinoa shares how to make soft, pillowy raspberry thumbprint cookies with only a few simple ingredients, including delicious homemade jam! And as mentioned, this recipe is totally customizable if you need to swap out any ingredients to better fit your preferences. Overall, a great cookie recipe to have on hand! Here’s how the magic happens: Read the full recipe here.
The post Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies (Vegan, Gluten-Free) appeared first on The Veggie Blog.

Vegan Cowboy Cookies Mix makes great Jar gifts for the Holiday Season. Layer oats, flour, coconut, chocolate sugar and pecans. Mix, add applesauce and oil, and bake. 1 Bowl Coconut Oatmeal Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies Vegan Recipe Can be gluten-free.
It’s time to whip up food gifts, meet up with friends, cook together and spend the long (and generally wet out here) cold evenings by the fireplace. As much as I love Summer and long days, a bit of slow down and catch up is helpful to recharge for the new year. Lets start up some jar gifts with these warm, buttery, chewy vegan Cowboy cookies.
These Coconut, Oatmeal, chocolate chip cookies are super tasty and make a great mix to gift. Layer everything nicely in a jar. To Bake, empty into a bowl, add applesauce and oil, chill, shape and bake. I am wondering why it took me so long to make these cookies. They are just the right amount of chewy, fun, delicious and also make great snack cookies.
Use small flaked coconut to make the cookies less chewy and less crumbly. The mix can keep for months!Continue reading: Vegan Cowboy Cookies Mix in a JarThe post Vegan Cowboy Cookies Mix in a Jar appeared first on Vegan Richa.

It’s been eight years since we started collecting recipes on this website, and over those years we’ve accumulated quite a few holiday recipe ideas. We thought it was finally time to do a big, comprehensive round up of our absolute favorites. We’ve got you covered on mains and hearty sides, as well as lighter sides, soups, salads, dessert, and drinks. Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season :)
v = vegan, gf = gluten-free, veg = vegetarian, vo = vegan option
Mains and Hearty Sides
Whole Braised Holiday Cauliflower (v, gf)
There’s something so grand and ritualistic about a holiday table centerpiece that took time, care and anticipation. Since most such centerpieces involve meat, one can feel a little left out during the peak of a celebratory meal if meat is not their jam. In this recipe, we applied this grand, ceremonious approach to braising a head of cauliflower. Someone even made a video outlining the entire braising process.
Baked Latkes (v, gf)
Latkes are my ultimate weakness, but I’ve always dreaded the long and smoky process of frying them. My love for latkes is so strong though, that I had to come up with an easier path to that crispy, golden potato goodness. These baked latkes are SO much easier to make than the traditional fried kind, since the oven does all the main work for you. The flavor and texture are not compromised one bit, I promise. The recipe also includes a beet salad with an avocado mayo, which is to die for.
Spaghetti Squash Mung Bean Lasagna (v, gf)
This healthful but hearty lasagna employs spaghetti squash in place lasagna noodles. There’s mushrooms, mung beans, kale, carrots, tomato sauce, and an easy almond ‘cheese’ as well.
Braised Leeks with Cauliflower White Bean Mash (v, gf)
If you’ve never tried braising leeks, you are in for a serious surprise. They are amazing, especially served over a hearty cauliflower and white bean mash. If leeks are not your thing, consider making the mash alone and serve it as a side, to up your holiday mash game :)
Sweet Potato and Brussels Sprout Gratin (v, gf)
I can’t say enough about this gratin comprised of layers of sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, and caramelized onions, showered with spices and coconut milk. It’s easy to make but so beautiful and satisfying at the same time.
Warm Salad of Roasted Cauliflower, Grapes, and Black Rice (v, gf)
This will forever be my favorite fall/­­winter salad. It’s all about the contrast of flavors: aromatic black rice, nourishing spiced cauliflower, juicy grapes, and a slightly spicy miso dressing full of umami. Sprinkle in some pomegranate seeds for an extra festive look.
Sorghum Beet Risotto (v, gf)
This vibrant risotto would make for an excellent side dish at a holiday table, especially if you don’t know what to do with that forgotten bag of sorghum in the back of your pantry :)
Curried Squash and Kale Riceless Risotto (vo, gf)
Another alternative (aka riceless) risotto option. This one uses riced kabocha squash in place of actual rice. It’s luxuriously creamy, warming, and overall impressive.
Root Vegetable Chickpea Flour Quiche (v, gf)
This vegan quiche comes together quite magically, with no crust, eggs or cream to speak of. Chickpea flour acts similarly to the egg-cream foundation of traditional quiche and solidifies into a sort of custard when baked at a high temperature. Add a studding of silky root vegetables and greens to that, and you’ve got yourself the perfect, healthful and delicious fall/­­winter quiche.
Soups and Sides
Creamy Butternut Squash, Pear and Cranberry Soup with Crispy Kale (v, gf)
This is butternut squash soup elevated. The addition of cranberries and pear is as delicious as it is unexpected. There’s a special ingredient that will help aid digestion during a big meal, too.
Winter Root and Fennel Soup with Greens and Caramelized Cauliflower (v, gf)
A soup that’s both grounding and fortifying, and good enough to serve as an unexpected, colorful starter at the holiday table.
Pink Soup with Roasted Onion and Broccoli (v, gf)
Another stunning, colorful soup option.
Celeriac Parsnip Mash with Crispy Sage (v, gf)
We love mashed potatoes, but we also love pairing a bowl of mashed potatoes with another, more interesting mash made with underutilized root vegetables. Both celeriac and parsnips are so uniquely flavored and healthful, it’s no wonder that they make for some delicious mash. Serve it with the Braised Holiday Cauliflower for the ultimate plant-based holiday meal.
Miso-Date Ghee Brussels Sprouts (veg, gf)
This recipe teaches you how to make your own ghee (golden, clarified butter that has a higher smoke point than normal butter and is low in lactose and casein /­­ not vegan), as well as how to make miso-date ghee, which is too delicious for words. It’s great on roasted Brussels sprouts, as well as everything else in this world.
Sweet Potato Nachos with Cheesy Chipotle Sauce and All the Fixings (v, gf)
A healthful take on nachos, with crispy sweet potatoes taking the place of tortilla chips. Great for self-serve style, snack-heavy parties. If you don’t want to go through the intricate process of making sweet potato chips, roasted sweet potatoes will work perfectly in their place.
Kale Salad with Marinated Beets, Lentils and Almond Cheese (v, gf)
This salad is simple but effective: visually stunning, healthful and delicious. Plus, you’ll want to sprinkle that almond cheese on everything!
Roasted Parsnip and Pomelo Salad (v, gf)
Earthy, nourishing parsnips go so well with juicy, bittersweet citrus. The combination is especially irresistible when sprinkled with spiced and toasted walnuts and raisins. Use grapefruit if you can’t find pomelo.
Desserts
Apple Pecan Pie with Salted Pumpkin Caramel (v)
This is three favorite Thanksgiving pies in one: apple, pecan and pumpkin. It’s decadent and impressive, and a definite crowd-pleaser. (Also pictured in slice form at the beginning of this post).
Concord Grape Fruit and Nut Cake (v, gf)
Slices of this fruit and nut cake make for a great accompaniment to a cheese plate, as well as an awesome gift basket component.
Chocolate Fudge with Fresh Sage and Goji Berries (v, gf)
The super-festive appearance of this decadent, frozen fudge basically speaks for itself.
Rum and Raisin Bundt with Orange and Miso Glaze (v)
The universally loved combination of rum and raisins is elevated by a sweet and subtly salty orange and miso glaze in this vegan bundt recipe we developed for Food & Wine.
Sweet Potato Caramel Nougat (v, gf)
Oh man, this nougat! Not as sticky or sweet as traditional nougat, this one has a caramel-like complexity from our trademark sweet potato caramel. There is a studding of toasted nuts and cookie crumble throughout each slice, too. Great for homemade gifts or party platters.
Upside Down Citrus Polenta Cake (v, gf)
This cake is a crowd pleaser through and through. It’s got it all in terms of stunning looks and bright, special flavor.
Black and White Chocolate Pudding (v, gf)
These elegant, black and white chocolate pudding cups are easy to put together, but very impressive and full of whole food ingredients.
Chocolate Beet Layer Cake with Pink Frosting and Chocolate Ganache (v, gf)
If you are looking for a grand and fun cake project, but still want something wholesome and not too sugary, look no further than this stunner of a cake.
Hibiscus Orange Blossom Turkish Delight
In this recipe, we’ve updated the old school treat with the use of healthful ingredients, and the beautiful, floral flavors of hibiscus and orange blossom. Serve these Turkish delights alongside tiny tongs at a holiday party for the ultimate, fancy dessert experience :)
Banana Toffee Tart (v)
This tart is worth making just for the vegan date toffee alone, but combine that with a (vegan) buttery crust and caramelized bananas, and you’ll forever be everyone’s favorite host.
Parsnip Cake with Candied Kumquats (veg, gf)
Another crowd favorite from a few years ago, this cake is like carrot cake, but made with parsnips in place of carrots. The parsnips yield their moisture and delicate flavor to the cake dough, which is then layered with a cream cheese frosting and topped with candied kumquats. This recipe can easily be veganized – just use maple syrup in place of honey to candy the kumquats and make the frosting.
Honey-Roasted Pears with Vanilla Cashew Cream (veg, gf)
All the components of this dessert can be made ahead of time, and assembled later. The cashew cream is not your average cashew cream, either – it’s extra-fluffy with the help of a special ingredient.
White Chocolate Blood Orange Mousse Tart (v, gf)
This delicate white chocolate mousse tart is flavored and colored with the juice and zest of blood orange. You also have the option of skipping the crust and making the mousse alone. Just distribute it amongst little ramekins for individual servings.
Pumpkinseed Butter Goji Cookies (v, gf)
These cookies are crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and incredibly buttery throughout. Their unexpected green coloring looks beautiful, contrasted by the red topping of goji berries.
Kabocha Squash Ice Cream with Maple Roasted Pecans (veg, gf)
Winter squash does beautifully in ice cream, especially the naturally sweet, bright orange kabocha squash. In this recipe, kabocha ice cream is swirled with a simple, tart cranberry sauce and topped with maple pecans. This recipe can easily be vegan – just use maple syrup in place of honey.
Miso Caramel Popcorn (v, gf)
It’s entirely possible to make really good caramel popcorn at home! This popcorn is sweet, salty, and incredibly addicting – you’ve been warned :)
Drinks
Rosemary Hot White Chocolate (v, gf)
This hot white chocolate is both cozy and decadent, with unexpected, warming notes from rosemary and a perfectly smooth, frothy consistency.
Quick Persimmon Eggnog (v, gf)
This is eggnog for both the adventurous and the health-conscious. Much lighter than the original, but still perfectly creamy and satisfying.
Spiced Kombucha Moscow Mules (v, gf)
This is the perfect winter cocktail for those of us who don’t drink alcohol, but still want to participate in the celebratory ritual of clinking glasses and toasting with something special and delicious.
Pear Cranberry Chai (v, gf)
This cozy chai is brewed with the addition of pears and cranberries, which takes the flavor to the next level. Simply put, it’s the best chai we’ve ever had.
H A P P Y H O L I D A Y S ! ! !
The post Favorite Plant-Based Holiday Recipes appeared first on Golubka Kitchen.

This summer, we set out to share one practical, budget-friendly, and non-boring plant-based meal plan per season. Here is our meal plan for the Fall of 2017! We are really excited about the recipes in this one. It all starts out with cooking a pot of lentils and a pot of rice, roasting some winter squash, and prepping some kale. Those foundations then make their way into breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes that will take you through a whole week of nourishing and cozy fall meals.
As usual, we are splitting this meal plan into two parts. This first part will focus on weekend prep, as well as breakfast and lunch recipes. Part 2 is here, and it’s all about dinner and dessert recipes. Here we go!
Menu
(see Part 2 for dinner and dessert recipes)
Breakfast
Turmeric Millet Porridge with Roasted Squash
Date-Sweetened Apple and Squash Muffins
Lunch
Grain Bowl with Marinated Delicata Squash, Coconut Kale, and Lentil Hummus
Simple Butternut Squash and Green Apple Soup
Dinner
Brown Rice, Lentil, Kale and Squash Veggie Burgers w/­­ Any Fixings of Choice
Brussels Sprout Tomato Stew
Dessert
Rosemary-Roasted Plums with a Cardamom Sprinkle
*all recipes are vegan and gluten-free and will make enough for a week, for 2-3 people
Shopping List
(print)
Bring this list with you when you go food shopping, its got all the ingredients youll need for the recipes in this meal plan. All the items are separated by category, to make the shopping easier and more efficient. Take the time to look over this list beforehand and cross out any items you already have. The hope here is that you own some of the pantry staples, spices, and maybe even some of the produce required, which will help minimize the list.
Produce
Vegetables
- 1 large and 1 medium butternut squashes
- 2 medium delicata squashes
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts
- 2 bunches kale (or 1 very large bunch)
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1 jalape?o pepper
- 1 lb crimini mushrooms
- 2 medium carrots
- 3 large yellow onions
- 2 heads of garlic
Fruits
- 2-3 green apples
- 1 lemon
- 1-2 limes (if using in place of brown rice vinegar for the marinated delicata)
- 8 ripe plums
Herbs
- rosemary
- sage
- green onions (optional)
- thyme (optional)
Other
- 3 cups almond milk or other plant milk of choice
- 1 13.5 oz can unsweetened Thai coconut milk
- 1 28 oz can or box crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup brown rice flour or other gluten free flour
- sesame tahini
- white sweet miso
- burger fixings like buns, lettuce, or anything else you like w/­­ your veggie burgers
- vanilla ice cream or plain yogurt to serve with the roasted plums (optional)
- crackers to snack on with the hummus or sourdough bread to eat with the hummus, soup or stew (optional)
Bulk
- 2 1/­­4 cups dried green lentils
- 3/­­4 cup millet
- 1 1/­­2 cups brown rice (2 cups if using rice for the grain bowl)
- 1 cup other grain of choice for the grain bowl, or 1/­­2 more cup of brown rice
- 5-7 Medjool dates
- 2 cups pumpkin seeds – toasted
- unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)
- cacao nibs (optional)
Pantry /­­ Refrigerator Staples
- neutral coconut oil
- apple cider vinegar
- brown rice vinegar (if not using limes for delicata marinade)
- balsamic vinegar (optional)
- tamari
- olive oil
- toasted sesame oil
- tomato paste
- coconut sugar
- sea salt
- maple syrup or honey
- sriracha/­­chili sauce of choice
- baking soda
- baking powder
Spices
- whole cumin seeds
- whole coriander seeds
- green cardamom pods
- smoked paprika
- black peppercorns
- turmeric
- red pepper flakes
- bay leaves (optional)
Day by Day Prep List
Saturday Night (Night Before Main Prep Day):
These are just quick tasks that need to be done the day before your main prep day. Soaking grains and lentils helps rid them of phytic acid, which makes them easier to digest. It also kickstarts the germination process, making the grains and lentils more nutritious.
- Soak 3/­­4 cup of dried millet overnight in plenty of purified water, with a splash of apple cider vinegar/­­lemon juice.
- Soak 2 1/­­4 cups of lentils overnight in plenty of purified water, with a splash of apple cider vinegar/­­lemon juice.
- Soak 1 1/­­2 cups of brown rice (2 cups if you are using it for the grain bowl) overnight in plenty of purified water, with a splash of apple cider vinegar/­­lemon juice.
- If not using brown rice for the grain bowl, soak 1 cup of another grain of choice for the grain bowl in plenty of purified water, with a splash of apple cider vinegar/­­lemon juice.
Sunday (Main Prep Day):
This is your main prep day, which you can also split into multiple days, depending on your schedule. You will find all the recipes for this prep day in this post, which includes two breakfast options and two lunch options for the whole week, as well as some simple prep for the dinners for the coming week.
- Roast the butternut and delicata squashes to be used in Turmeric Millet Porridge with Roasted Squash, Apple and Squash Muffins, Lentil and Squash Hummus, Simple Butternut Squash and Green Apple Soup, Veggie Burgers, and Grain Bowl.
- Cook the lentils to be used in the Lentil and Squash Hummus, Veggie Burgers, and the Brussels Sprout Tomato Stew.
- Cook the brown rice to use in the Veggie Burgers and the Grain Bowl, if that’s your grain of choice for the bowl.
- If you chose another grain for the grain bowl, cook it now as well.
- Cook the kale and coconut kale to be used in the Grain Bowl and Veggie Burgers.
- Make the Lentil and Squash Hummus to be used in the Grain Bowl, on the Veggie Burgers, and on crackers/­­bread as a snack throughout the week.
- Marinate the roasted delicata squash to use in the Grain Bowl.
- Make the Simple Butternut Squash and Apple Soup.
- Bake the Date-Sweetened Apple and Squash Muffins.
- You can also cook the Turmeric Millet Porridge with Roasted Squash for your breakfasts ahead of time, but I suggest making it in the morning. It’s pretty quick.
Monday Night:
Make the Veggie Burgers to have for dinner on Monday, Tuesday, and possibly Wednesday nights. This will be fairly quick, since you’ve already cooked the squash, rice, kale and lentils that are called for in the recipe during prep day. Roast the plums for dessert on Monday or Tuesday night, it’s quick and you will have enough for dessert for the rest of the week. The recipes for the Veggie Burgers, Brussels Sprout Stew and the Roasted Plums are in Part 2.
- Make the Brown Rice, Lentil, Kale and Squash Veggie Burgers.
- Make the Rosemary-Roasted Plums with Cardamom Sprinkle.
Wednesday/­­Thursday night:
Once you’ve finished eating the Veggie Burgers, prepare the Brussels Sprouts Stew for dinner starting Wednesday or Thursday night and until the end of the week. The recipe for the stew is in Part 2.
- Make the Brussels Sprout Tomato Stew.
Prep
1.
Winter squash is a beautifully versatile vegetable that can be used in millions of ways in both sweet and savory dishes. It’s always a great idea to roast a bunch of squash on the weekend, to use in all kinds of dishes throughout the week. In this meal plan, we use Butternut and Delicata Squashes in the Turmeric Millet Porridge with Roasted Squash, Apple and Squash Muffins, Lentil and Squash Hummus, Simple Butternut Squash and Green Apple Soup, Veggie Burgers, and Grain Bowl. See what I mean? It really is a super-vegetable.
Roasted Butternut and Delicata Squashes Print Ingredients 1 large and 1 medium butternut squash - cut in half lengthwise and seeded 2 medium delicata squashes - seeded and sliced into ½-inch rings neutral coconut oil - soft sea salt freshly ground black pepper Instructions Preheat the oven to 400° F (200° C). Prepare 2-3 parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Arrange all the squashes on the baking sheets in a single layer. Oil them with the coconut oil and sprinkle with salt and paper. Roast the delicata squash for 10 minutes, then flip all the rings and roast for another 15-20 minutes, until cooked through and golden on both sides. Delicata squash skins are edible, so no need to peel off the skin. Roast the butternut squashes at the same time, for about 40 minutes or until soft throughout. You should end up with about 3 cups of roasted mashed squash flesh from the large butternut squash, which you will use for the hummus, muffins, porridge and burgers. The remaining 1 medium butternut squash will be used for the Simple Squash and Apple Soup. 3.5.3226
2.
A pot of lentils, cooked on the weekend, can easily take you through a week of meals. They are nourishing, affordable, and can work as a base for so many meals. In this meal plan, we use French lentils in the Lentil and Squash Hummus, Veggie Burgers, and the Brussels Sprout Tomato Stew.
Pot of Lentils Print Ingredients 2¼ cups dried French lentils - soaked overnight in purified water with a splash of apple cider vinegar sea salt Instructions Drain and rinse the lentils. Place them into a medium-large pot, cover with purified water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until soft, but still intact. Add salt at the last 5 minutes. Drain and use in recipes right away or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. 3.5.3226
3.
Similarly to lentils, a pot of rice or any other grains, prepared on the weekend, can help you pave the way to quicker and better meals throughout the week. In this meal plan, we use brown rice in the Veggie Burgers and the Grain Bowl (if that’s the grain you chose for your bowl). Serve any leftover rice with the Brussels Sprout Tomato Stew. If you chose a different grain for your grain bowl, cook it now as well.
Pot of Brown Rice Print Ingredients 1½ cups brown rice (2 cups if using rice for your grain bowl) - soaked overnight in purified water with a splash of apple cider vinegar 2½ cups filtered water (3½ cups if cooking 2 cups of rice) sea salt Instructions Drain and rinse the rice. Combine it with the water and plenty of sea salt in a medium pot, cover with a lid and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook, covered, for 25-40 minutes, until all the water is absorbed and the rice is cooked. Use in recipes right away or store refrigerated in an air-tight container for up to 4 days. 3.5.3226
4.
Blanching kale is one of my favorite, low maintenance ways of prepping a whole bunch of it for the week. In this meal plan, it will be used for the Coconut Kale and the Veggie Burgers. I also like to use the leftover kale cooking water for soups, stews, etc. In this meal plan, you can use the leftover kale broth for the Coconut Kale, the Brussels Sprout Tomato Stew and even the Simple Squash and Apple Soup.
Half of this blanched kale gets stored away for later use in the Veggie Burgers, while the other half becomes the Coconut Kale for our grain bowl lunch. You’re going to love the coconut kale – it’s velvety, creamy, and keeps well throughout the week.
Blanched Kale and Coconut Kale Print Ingredients 2 bunches (or 1 very large bunch) kale of choice sea salt 1 can unsweetened Thai coconut milk Instructions Separate the kale leaves from the stems. Wash and tear the leaves into roughly bite-sized pieces. Reserve the stems to use in homemade vegetable broth in the future, if desired. Place the torn kale leaves in a large pot and cover with purified water. Add salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Drain the kale, reserving the cooking liquid for the Coconut Kale and the Brussels Sprouts Tomato Stew. Return half of the kale to the same pot. Squeeze the other half of the kale dry and store it away in an air-tight container, in the refrigerator, to use later in the veggie burgers. Add ½ cup of the reserved kale cooking liquid and 1 can of coconut milk to the pot. Bring to a strong simmer and cook for 10-20 minutes, until creamy. Add more of the kale cooking liquid throughout the cooking time, if needed. Taste for salt and adjust, if needed. Eat right away or store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. 3.5.3226
5.
The good news is, you already have all the important ingredients prepared for this hummus – you’ve cooked the lentils and roasted the squash, which you’re going to puree with autumn herbs, garlic, tahini, lemon juice, and olive oil. Though for efficiency’s sake, we use lentils instead of the traditional chickpeas here, the spread still very much tastes like hummus. And not just any hummus – it’s fresh, savory, earthy hummus that’s better than anything you can get at the store. Use it throughout the week in the Grain Bowl, on top of the Veggie Burgers, or as a quick snack with some crackers.
Lentil and Squash Hummus Print Ingredients ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil - divided 4-5 cloves of garlic - peeled and sliced 1-2 tablespoons chopped herbs, such as rosemary, sage and thyme 1 cup roasted mashed butternut squash (from the large butternut squash from above) sea salt freshly ground black pepper 1½ cups cooked green lentils (from above) juice from 1 lemon ¼ cup sesame tahini 3-4 tablespoons cold water toasted pumpkin seeds - for garnish (optional) Instructions Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a small sauté pan over medium heat. Add garlic and herbs and sauté for about a minute, until garlic is fragrant and cooked, but not burnt. Add the squash, salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Stir around for a minute or so for the flavors to mix. Add the mixture to a food processor or a high-speed blender like a Vitamix. Add the lentils to the food processor/­­blender, followed by the lemon juice, sesame tahini, and more salt, to taste. Process until smooth, scraping the walls if needed. With the motor still running, pour in ¼ cup of the olive oil through the funnel, followed by the cold water. Pour in the water 1 tablespoon at a time until you achieve a desired, creamy consistency. Sprinkle the hummus with the toasted pumpkin seeds when serving, if using. Store the hummus in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to 5 days. 3.5.3226
6.
Marinating vegetables is one of my favorite preparations, especially if I’m cooking ahead. It’s as easy as mixing up a marinade, and the veggies will only get more flavorful with each passing day. This miso-marinated delicata squash has got it all – it’s a little sweet, a little savory, and a bit spicy. It’s the perfect, powerful component to a memorable grain bowl, which is how it’s utilized in this meal plan.
If you are planning on eating this squash at work/­­social settings, you might need to be cautious with the garlic – the squash is still really good without it!
Miso-Marinated Delicata Squash Print Ingredients 2 sliced and roasted delicata squashes (from above) 2 tablespoons white sweet miso paste 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey (not vegan) 2 teaspoons chili sauce, such as sriracha 4 tablespoons brown rice vinegar or lime juice 1 tablespoon tamari 2 teaspoons sesame oil 1 garlic clove - minced (optional) 1 tablespoon finely chopped green onion (optional) Instructions Place the sliced and roasted delicata squash in a shallow dish. In a small bowl, combine the miso with the maple syrup and sriracha, and mix until smooth. Add the rice vinegar/­­lime juice, tamari, and sesame oil, and mix until smooth. Mix in the sesame seeds, garlic and green onion, if using. Pour the marinade over the delicata squash and toss to coat. Cover and let marinate at room temperature for 1-3 hours. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days. 3.5.3226
Recipes
1.
These gluten-free muffins make for a great breakfast or snack. They are very subtly sweet – sweetened only with dates – and get their soft, crumbly texture from the roasted squash that’s hiding in the batter. There are pockets of cubed apple throughout, and the pumpkin seeds on top add a nice bit of crunch.
Date-Sweetened Apple and Squash Muffins Print Serves: 10 medium-sized or 12 small muffins Ingredients 1½ tablespoons neutral coconut oil, plus more for oiling the pan ¾ cup brown rice flour or other gluten-free flour pinch of sea salt 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda 5-7 soft Medjool dates - pitted and soaked in 1 cup of hot water for 10 minutes ½ cup roasted mashed butternut squash (from the large butternut squash from above) 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1-2 Granny Smith apples - peeled and finely cubed (optionally slice some of the apple to decorate the tops of muffins) 2 tablespoons chopped sage leaves (optional) pumpkin seeds - for sprinkling Instructions Preheat oven to 375° F (190° C). Prepare a muffin pan by thoroughly oiling the holes or lining it with paper muffin liners. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda in a medium bowl. Put the dates in an upright blender, together with their soaking water. Add the squash and blend until smooth. Add the coconut oil and vinegar and pulse to combine. Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and quickly stir to mix. Fold in cubed apples and sage, if using. Fill the muffin holes with the batter until each hole is about ⅔ full. Sprinkle each muffin with pumpkin seeds and decorate with apple slices, if using. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool a little, then remove the muffins from the pan and let them cool on a cooling rack. Enjoy right away or store in an air-tight container for up to 4 days. 3.5.3226
2.
This millet porridge is warming, cozy, satisfying, and overall perfect for chilly fall mornings. Millet is a humble and affordable gluten-free grain, but it has the potential to be quite creamy and luxurious when cooked in plant milk with turmeric and squash. The porridge is pictured here topped with some of the roasted plums from Part 2 of this meal plan, which makes it even more special.
Turmeric Millet Porridge Print Ingredients 2 tablespoons coconut oil or ghee (not vegan) 1 teaspoon turmeric a few grinds of black pepper (to activate the turmeric) ¾ cup millet - soaked overnight in purified water with a splash of apple cider vinegar 1½ tablespoons coconut sugar pinch of sea salt 4 cups almond milk or other plant milk (or 3 cups milk and 1 cup water) - divided 1 cup roasted butternut squash (from the large butternut squash from above) toasted pumpkin seeds and coconut flakes - for serving (optional) Instructions Warm the oil/­­ghee in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the turmeric and black pepper, and stir around for about a minute. Add the millet, coconut sugar, salt and 3 cups of plant milk (or 2 cups of milk and 1 cup of water). Bring to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer and cook, covered, for 20 minutes. Stir periodically to prevent the porridge from sticking to the bottom. In the meantime, blend the squash and the remaining 1 cup of plant milk in a high-speed blender. Mix the blended mixture into the porridge after the 20 minutes of cooking and stir to combine. Simmer everything for another couple of minutes. (Alternatively, skip blending the squash and the remaining plant milk in a blender and add both the squash and the rest of the milk to the porridge, stirring to warm everything through. This will result in a less smooth porridge with some pockets of squash, which I like as a nice change from a smooth porridge). Serve the porridge topped with toasted pumpkin seeds and coconut flakes, if desired. Store in an air-tight container for up to 5 days. Reheat gently over medium low heat with more ghee/­­coconut oil and a splash of plant milk or water. 3.5.3226
3.
This grain bowl will come together very quickly during a weekday lunch, since you’ve already gotten all the components ready during prep day. As an alternative to the bowl, you can spread the hummus on some sourdough bread and top that with the squash for an open-faced sandwich, with the coconut kale on the side.
Marinated Delicata Squash, Coconut Kale, and Lentil Hummus Grain Bowl Print Ingredients cooked brown rice or another grain of choice (from above) coconut kale (from above) miso-marinated delicata squash (from above) lentil and squash hummus (from above) toasted pumpkin seeds Instructions Heat up the rice and coconut kale in a pan or saucepan with a bit of oil or water. You can also gently heat the miso-marinated squash, but be careful not to heat it too much because of the miso. Serve all the components together in a bowl, sprinkled with toasted pumpkin seeds. 3.5.3226
4.
Our second lunch option is a very lovely and very simple pureed fall soup, with flavors of butternut squash, green apple, and autumn herbs.
Simple Butternut Squash and Apple Soup Print Ingredients 1 tablespoon neutral coconut oil 1 large yellow onion - chopped 1 green apple - peeled, cored and chopped 2 garlic cloves - sliced 1 teaspoon coriander seeds - preferably freshly ground about 1 tablespoon chopped sage and rosemary sea salt freshly ground black pepper flesh from 1 medium roasted butternut squash (from above) Instructions Warm the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, apple, garlic, coriander and herbs, if using, and sauté everything for 10 minutes. Scoop the flesh out of the roasted squash and add it to the saucepan, followed by the sea salt, pepper and 3 cups of purified water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes, until all the flavors are combined well. Carefully blend everything in an upright blender until smooth. Taste for salt and adjust if needed. Serve right away or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. 3.5.3226
Continue to Dinner and Dessert Recipes > > >
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Are you dreading the annual ritual of the kids collecting candy, then having to argue with them about how much they can have and how to avoid those dreaded sugar highs (and future dental bills)? Here are some fun Halloween treats that the kids will love, and which won’t send shivers up your spine. For […]
The post Vegan Halloween Treats That Are So Good, It’s Scary appeared first on VegKitchen.

I know what you are thinking. Where is the cake and what is that red sauce? In most other countries this would be called a trifle or a parfait, but in Denmark we call this an old-fashioned apple cake (although our version is modernized). I have the fondest memories leaning over a huge bowl of Gammeldags aeblekage at my grandmother’s kitchen table. It’s made of smooth apple sauce (our version is red) topped with crushed cookie crumbles and whipped cream and it was my favorite dessert in the world. Me and my twin brother spent every other weekend and school holiday at my grandmother’s house. She was the warmest and calmest person we knew, always smiling. My memories are fading but whenever I think of her I can smell the cigarillos she loved to smoke and the hair spray she always wore. And I remember her huge black & white marble coffee table that we often sat around and her warm hugs. She had a big house and rented out one room in the basement, one on the top floor and one in the garden to various tenants. On weekends she baked for everyone in the house. Large batches of spiced pound cake, chocolate cake or her famous (in my world) old-fashioned apple cake. I never thought of it back then but - damn! - she must have been the best landlord. When my twin brother and I were 10 years old she sadly passed away, two days after Christmas, and she left a big hole of emptiness in me. I have been thinking about her so much lately as I have been making this recipe for our kids and telling them stories about her. So this cake and this video is for you grandma. /­­Luise
We have actually changed quite a few things from my grandmother’s recipe. We ditched the sugar in the apple sauce (because it’s really not needed if you use sweet apples), replaced cookie crumble with a simple nut and date crumble and used whipped coconut cream on top to make it vegan. But it still tastes a lot like the ones she made. And the texture is ace! It’s sweet and tangy and soft and rich and crunchy. And it’s pretty easy to make as well. 1) Cook apple sauce (or use readymade). 2) Chop toasted nuts and mix with sticky dates. 3) Whip cream. 4) Layer. 5) Dive in.
While testing the first version of the recipe, David’s main concern was that it didn’t look pretty enough (typically him). I peeled the apples and didn’t blend the sauce so it did look rather yellow/­­brownish. But he figured out that by using the most deep red apples we could find, kept the peel on, cooked on low heat and then blended the sauce, it got a beautiful pink/­­red color. I’ve never seen an apple sauce looking radiant like that before.
Make sure to cook a double batch of the sauce. It’s crazy good on top of yogurt and porridge bowls.
We are definitely not experts on whipped coconut cream. We have failed at making it numerous times as different brands behave differently and some simply don’t work at all. Key is keeping it chilled to get the cream to separate from the liquid and the chilling is also essential when whipping. Usually, the cream solidifies so you scoop it out with a spoon, but when making the video above, we used a brand that separated without solidifying so we could simply pour the cream into the bowl while the rest of the liquid stayed at the bottom of the can. If you want to learn more about Whipped Coconut Cream (and which US brands that work best), go read Ashlae’s post on Coconut Whipped Cream.
I should also mention that if you are not vegan or too fond of coconut cream, regular whipped cream is just as delicious.
Grandma’s Danish Apple Cake
Serves 4
If you cant find red apples like ours, you can add a little pomegranate juice or grated beetroot to the apple sauce while mixing to make it more red.
Red Apple Sauce
1 kg /­­ 2 lb red apples (use local produce if available)
250 ml /­­ 1 cup water
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
1/­­2 tsp ground vanilla powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon (or cardamom)
1 tbsp lemon juice
Date & Nut Crumble
180 g /­­ 1 cup almonds
100 g /­­ 1 cup walnuts
8 dates
Whipped Coconut Cream (or regular cream)
1 can coconut milk, placed in the fridge for a few hours (or coconut cream or heavy cream)
Rinse the apples and chop them in bite size pieces, discarding the core. Place in a large sauce pan along with water, fresh ginger, vanilla powder and cinnamon. Let simmer on low heat for approx 20 minutes or until soft.
Meanwhile, place the nuts on a tray and roast at 150°C /­­ 300°F for approx 15 minutes. Remove the stone from the dates and use a knife to chop them or a fork to mash them. Chop the nuts medium fine, reserve a handful a nuts for topping and mix the rest with the date paste into a crumble. Set aside.
When the apples are done, use a hand (immersion) blender to mix into a smooth apple sauce. Stir lemon juice into the sauce, leave to cool or scoop into a large jar and place in the fridge.
Scoop out the solid cream from 1 can of chilled coconut milk. Use a hand mixer to whip the coconut cream until it’s fluffy and forms soft peaks. If it feels too runny, place the bowl in the freezer for 10-15 minutes and then try whipping again. If you like it sweetened, you can fold in some maple syrup or vanilla into the cream after it is whipped. If using regular cream, simply whip it until soft peaks form.
Place apple sauce as bottom layer in 4 glasses or jars (or use 1 big glass bowl). Top evenly with nut and date crumble and then scoop over whipped cream. Sprinkle chopped nuts on top. Enjoy!
They sit quite well in the fridge so they can be prepared a few hours ahead.
PS! Yesterday also happened to be Noah’s first birthday! Happy day little man! David usually post a little letter to the kids here on their first birthday but he’s been a little busy lately but promises that he will write it in a later post.
Oh, one more thing! The Dutch edition of Green Kitchen At Home has been nominated for Cookbook of the Year in Holland. There are two awards, one is decided by a jury and the other is people’s choice. We’d be super happy if our Dutch readers (or anyone) would like to vote for us. It only takes 30 seconds. Here is the link!

Pumpkin Ginger Snaps. Vegan Pumpkin Ginger Cookies with gingerbread spices and pumpkin. Soft Fudgy Cookies. Vegan Recipe. Gluten-free option
These Ginger Cookies are soft, fudgy, blondie like with flavors from the Pumpkin, Ginger bread spices and molasses. They come together very quickly, are almost one bowl if you use a sifter. Even with 2 bowls used, you need to wash only 1.
Pumpkin adds a softness to the cookies which bakes up to a fudgy cookie texture compared to the snappy crisp molasses cookies. Bake them longer for a more cookie like crumb and less for fudgier. Use spices of choice like ginger bread, pumpkin pie spice or chai spice. Add some candied ginger or orange, or chocolate chips or nuts for variation.
I was hoping to edit an amazing roasted squash post for today, but the easier post won. We’ve all be sleep deprived because of Chewie’s cough. It seems to be letting up a little, so keeping our fingers crossed for our resident adopted fluffster.
Dang these are so good. Make a double batch! Crackly cookies also perfect for halloween!Continue reading: Vegan Soft Pumpkin Ginger SnapsThe post Vegan Soft Pumpkin Ginger Snaps appeared first on Vegan Richa.

This cookie isn't your typical peanut butter cookie--no fork tine and crosshatched business required. Which is good, because having to maneuver a fork over balls of dough poses challenges for me right now. Simple baking only. One handed baking and cooking only. It's okay. These peanut butter cookies surprised me. They have a light, crumbly texture--even with the addition of my natural chunky style peanut butter. By my own insistence that I get back to baking, I stumbled upon this recipe in the New York Times for cookie inspiration. Julia Moskin was on a mission to recreate this cookie from City Bakery in New York. There are seventy-five comments regarding the cookie making attempts. I read them all (because why not). To make vegan, I simply used flax egg--with so few ingredients, it's really a very easy cookie to make/­­adapt. (I will admit that though I love a peanut butter cookie, just the thought of the measuring cup after sort of makes me not pursue it as regularly as I'd like.) What an insane concern. As a fan of peanut butter of all stripes, these have been worth the effort. I made them using my small cookie baking scoop. You will thank yourself later when you can't resist having another one. Took a little tumble a few weeks ago, and like THAT, I was in a cast. Broke my wrist, needed surgery, blah, blah, blah. The whole thing has been an awakening for me. My fifties so far have proven to be, well. . . I'm ready to skip into my sixties and forget this decade is all I'm saying. I'm not sugar-coating here nor do I need be reminded of how much worse it could have been. Were it not for my sister, my dear friends and my oh-so-patient husband, this ordeal may have been my undoing. We were on a hike, on a beautiful fall afternoon--the crispest, coolest Saturday we've had all year, then. . . DH saw me go down. Wrist was in a bit of a twisted and unnatural state at the end of my arm as I struggled to stand up, then came OMG! I broke my wrist! (and other choice words). Luckily I: 1) did not break my dominant hand 2) have an amazing orthopedic surgeon who saw to it that I was tended to per his direction in the ER and then subsequently operated on said fracture, and 3) had both a wonderful urgent care and hospital staff who utterly and completely took excellent care of me despite my cries, screams and moments of near passing out--and then made sure I was passed out to properly tend to the break: thank you! Other knitters/­­crocheters and bakers and people in general have had similar wrist break experiences. I know because I have read about them ALL. My first thought was: WHAT ABOUT KNITTING AND CROCHET: OMG! By my second week, there were fewer tears and woe is me-ing, and I finally picked up my needles and held them in my hand for the first time. Knitting Shoulder Cozy by Churchmouse Yarns. Using Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball. The Puppy. . .The Runt--a fitting term of endearment as we have realized: we definitely have a runt. She weighs in at under forty pounds and. . .we are past our six month mark. Her sister weighed almost sixty by this point. She is just adorable and smart and loves, loves, loves her very big sissy. Though I think there are times when she wonders: when will I get that big? Actually, she's perfect just the way she is. Vegan Peanut Butter Sandies *adapted from NYT /­­ Julia Moskin makes appx. 24 cookies with small 1" cookie scoop 1/­­2 cup vegan butter 1/­­4 cup plus 2 T. brown sugar 1/­­4 cup plus 2 T. granulated sugar 1/­­2 t. fines sea salt 1 cup chunky natural peanut butter (I used Smuckers) 2 T. ground flaxseed + 4 T. water + 1 T. olive oil whisked (to replace egg) 1 cup all purpose flour *extra sugar and salt for dusting Preheat oven to 350. Get your cookie sheet ready with parchment paper. In medium bowl, cream together the sugar and vegan butter--then add peanut butter and flax egg--mix well. Then add salt and flour and mix until just combined--don't over mix. Scoop out in small 1' cookie mounds. They won't spread so no worries on crowding. Then sift together 2 T. sugar and 1 t. sea salt or flake salt in a small bowl and lightly sprinkle over each cookie before baking. Bake for 15 minutes--you want them to brown a bit around edges.

Vegan Sweet Potato Pie Bars. Spiced Sweet Potato Pie layered over cinnamony Snickerdoodle crust. Make this into a pie for decadent holiday dessert. Gluten-free option
These sweet potato pie bars are easy and great for fall and holidays. They are a great snack or dessert. The crust is a simple cinnamony flour and sugar mix pressed together and prebaked. The crust reminds me of snickerdoodle cookies and works amazingly. The crust is topped with well spiced sweet potato puree. Maple syrup and coconut sugar make up the sweeteners.
These delicious vegan sweet potato pie bars can be served as is or with whipped coconut cream or ice cream. This recipe makes just the right amount to treat before the main event. Double it up and bake into a pie! These can be easily made with pumpkin or other squash puree. Do you like sweet potato or pumpkin in your pies and pie bars?Continue reading: Vegan Sweet Potato Pie BarsThe post Vegan Sweet Potato Pie Bars appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Ive been meaning to post this recipe for ages. Sweet potato is my new favourite way to replace eggs in enriched bread dough recipes. It makes the final loaf nice and soft, and adds colour to the dough that mimics the many egg yolks of non-vegan challah. This is a version of Peter Reinharts recipe from Artisan Breads Everyday, but I use a blender to incorporate the potato into the liquid ingredients. You can let the dough rise in the fridge, then shape and bake the next day as he calls for, but I usually just do everything in the same day because I dont have the time or the fridge space to follow his method. The recipe produces reliable results every time. Trust me: I make at least two recipes a week so the kids have buns for school lunches. Makes 2 loaves, or 16 buns INGREDIENTS All measurements are weight, not volume - 17oz warm water - 2.5 oz oil - 4 oz cooked sweet potato (see note* way below) - 3 oz sugar - 14 g instant yeast - 19 g salt - 2 lb 3 oz bread flour - soy milk for brushing METHOD 1. Place water, oil, sweet potato, sugar, yeast, and salt in a blender. Blend until smooth. 2. Add liquid to flour in a large bowl and bring into a dough. Knead until smooth. 3. Shape into a ball and let rise, covered, in a large oiled bowl until doubled in size. 4. From here, YouTube is your friend. Determine how many braids you want in your loaf (the pic above is a 6 braid) and find a video for how to braid it. Remember that the recipe makes two loaves. 5. Place braided loaves on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (ideally both loaves on one big sheet). Brush with soy milk. 6. Leave to rise, uncovered, in a warm place until almost doubled in size (about 1 hour). Keep brushing with soy milk every 15 mins or so, to keep the dough from drying out and to build up layers of soy milk (this will give the loaf that glossy finish when baked). 7. While dough is rising, preheat oven to 350. 8. Bake for 20 mins, then rotate the pan and bake for another 15-20 mins, until the loaves are evenly browned and sound hollow when thumped on the bottom. A convection oven really helps get an evenly browned loaf. A NOTE ON BUNS This is also my go to recipe for buns--it makes 16 buns that I do as a 4x 4 batch bake on a large sheet pan. Brush them with soy milk like the loaves, but bake at 400 for 15-17 mins, rotating the pan half way through. Or, space them apart, slash the tops before baking, and sprinkle with sesame seeds after the last brushing with soy milk (as pictured below). Or do hot dog/­­sausage buns. *Note: I prick the skin of a sweet potato a few times with a fork, then cook it in the microwave on the potato setting. Its fast and makes for a sweet potato that is not too wet.

Sasha Swerdloff is a Certified Ayurvedic Consultant and blogger at Tending the Table, where she shares plant-based recipes and writes about sustainability, health, and wellness. We love Sasha’s thoughtful approach to cooking, breathtaking photography, and Ayurvedic advice.
In this interview, Sasha tells us about her morning, bedtime and exercise routines, as well as self-care as a type of non-violence, addressing the root cause of health-related imbalances, the breathing technique she uses during stressful times, skincare, nourishment, yoga, and much more.
Routine
-- Is routine important to you or do you like things to be more open and free?
Routine is super important for me. Without it I tend to feel scattered, flustered and irritable. I think this has a lot to do with my constitution. I know that I tend to struggle with uncertainty so having a routine makes me feel a little more in control and a little less terrified.
-- What do your mornings look like? If they differ from day to day, describe your ideal morning.
I usually wake up around 7am, do my morning stuff (scrape my tongue, do neti, wash my face etc.) then try to drink a big mug of hot lemon water. I like to listen to NPR and snuggle on the couch with my pups while I drink my morning matcha latte. Then I do yoga before making breakfast.
-- Do you have any bedtime rituals that help you sleep well?
Ive struggled with insomnia a fair amount but paying attention to my stress level and having a solid bedtime routine has helped a lot. A hot bath and self massage with plenty of herbal oil especially on my head works wonders. I also really love sipping on some warm almond milk with spices before bed.
Sustenance
-- Describe your typical or ideal meal for each of these:
Breakfast - Sautéed greens, a fried egg from the chicken ladies in the backyard, and sourdough toast.
Lunch - Soup or a big bowl of roasted veggies with some sort of cooked grain, some protein, and a half an avocado.
Snack - Apple and almond butter
Dinner - Soup, roasted veggies, salads, veggie tacos with beans, roasted sweet potato, cabbage slaw and avocado.
-- Do you partake in caffeine and in what form? If not, what is your drink of choice in the morning?
Ive never been able to drink coffee or black tea without getting super jittery but it took me years to finally listen to what my body was telling me. Instead of coffee I drink a matcha latte with almond milk and raw honey every morning.
-- Do you have a sweet tooth? If so, how do you keep it in check?
Not having sweet stuff around is the only way to stop me from eating a whole bar of chocolate or way too many cookies.
-- Are there any particular supplements, herbs, or tinctures/­­tonics that you take regularly and find to be helpful with your energy level and general wellness?
Im not a fan of taking lots of herbs or supplements for long periods of time. Its easy to take a pill but its a lot harder to address the root cause of an issue and make diet and lifestyle changes to address that imbalance. In the long term though, addressing the root cause through diet and lifestyle is a whole lot more affordable and leads to long term results. I do take Ashwagandha and Vit D regularly to support my nervous system and to keep me sane through the dark winters here in Seattle.
Exercise
-- Do you exercise and do you have a particular exercise routine that you repeat weekly?
I try to practice at least an hour of yoga daily. I also walk a fair amount and jog every once in a while. In the winter I cross country ski as much as I can. Ive noticed that the forms of exercise I enjoy most incorporate some sort of rhythmic, repetitive motion which I find to be super calming and meditative. Also, any time I can get outside Im happy.
-- Do you find exercise to be pleasurable, torturous or perhaps a little of both? How do you put yourself in the right mindset in order to keep up with it?
Both. There are days when I dont exercise or get outside but I try to not beat myself up about it. Its too easy to get into a pattern of negativity and its much more beneficial long term to practice having compassion for yourself. The things that motivate me to get on my mat each day are my physical and mental health, someone else (my husband) holding me accountable, and the respect and admiration I have for my yoga teacher and the Ashtanga lineage.
Beauty
-- What is your idea of beauty – external, internal or both?
Confidence is beautiful to me. I feel more beautiful when I stand up straight and hold my head high. Im slowly learning that its less about how I look and more about how I feel.
-- What is your skincare approach – face and body?
My skin has always been sensitive and problematic and Ive always had negative body image issues associated with it. Im finally starting to get a handle on it by going off of hormonal birth control and eliminating sugar and dairy. I also have a pretty strict routine that helps keep my skin free from breakouts. In the morning I wash my face with warm water and moisturize with January Labs Revitalizing Day Cream or Osmia Organics Purely Simple Face Cream . In the evening I cleanse and exfoliate with Beauty Counters Charcoal Cleansing Bar and the Clarisonic skin brush then moisturize with grapeseed oil and Living Libations Dew Dab which helps prevent breakouts and combat hyper pigmentation. In the summer I spritz my face with rose water to help me cool down.
-- Are there any foods, herbs or supplements you find to be helpful to your skin/­­hair/­­general glow?
I started taking a zinc supplement a few months ago for my skin and it has helped a ton. Overall though, I notice that cutting out sugar and dairy from my diet makes the biggest difference.
-- Do you have any beauty tips/­­tricks you’ve found to be especially useful throughout the years? Family heirlooms are very much welcome.
Like I said before, for me, diet makes a huge difference. But I also love my Clarisonic skin brush. It seems like a weird gadget but it has made all the difference for me.
Stress, etc.
-- If stress cannot be avoided, what are your ways of dealing with it?
Making sure not to get too over stimulated or overcommitted helps me stay grounded but if I do get spun out I practice Nadi shodhana breathing and take some Anxiety Soother to take the edge off. I also like to do Yoga Nidra . Getting some fresh air and planting my feet on the ground or pulling out the watercolors always helps too.
-- What measures do you take when you sense a cold/­­general feeling of being under the weather coming on?
I usually mega dose on Echinacea and Sambu Guard then take a hot bath and bundle up. I also try to slow down since for me, colds are often the result of stress. If I slow down my body can usually heal itself.
Motivation
-- Describe the actions you take or mindset you try to tap into in order to stay on track with your self-care practice and being nice to yourself?
I like to think about yoga philosophy and the eight limbs. The first limb is yama. The yamas are a set of five precepts that help us interact with the world in an ethical manner. The first yama is ahimsa or non-violence. This means non-violence towards all living things, including ourselves, in thoughts, words and actions. For me self-care is a type of non-violence towards my physical and mental being.
-- How do you deal with periods characterized by a lack of inspiration or procrastination?
I take a break from whatever it is that Im struggling with and do something else to clear my mind.
Knowledge
-- What was your path to studying Ayurveda and yoga and how do you incorporate that knowledge into your everyday?
I first learned about Ayurveda from my yoga teacher, Christine Hoar . I had been practicing yoga with her for a year or so and was struggling with some health problems so decided to do an Ayurvedic consultation with her to see what she could recommend. Her simple diet and lifestyle recommendations completely changed things for me. I felt like all of a sudden, all of the issues I had struggled with throughout my life made sense and fit into a bigger picture of who I am. I continued studying Ayurveda with Christine and then after college completed an Ayurvedic Certification program and Kripalu. For me, Ayurveda provides a framework from which to view the world and my place in it. Im constantly thinking about the qualities of the foods I eat and the things I do or experience from an Ayurvedic perspective. Ayurveda helps me understand and take control of my health.
-- Do you practice a certain type of yoga, and why did you choose that particular branch?
I practice Ashtanga Yoga. I sort of stumbled into it. A college friend told me about a summer special at a nearby studio and suggested I sign up. I did and I went to class there every day for a month. After the month was up I just kept going. I was hooked. I think a big part of why Ive stuck with Ashtanga is because of my teacher. Shes pretty incredible and has been a huge influence in my life. The method of Ashtanga also really resonates with me. I enjoy the repetition, the meditative quality of the breath, the focus and concentration required, the rigor of it and the tradition.
-- Do you have any recommendations for someone who wants to establish a daily yoga practice but doesnt know where to begin?
Find a teacher you connect with. Finding the motivation to practice on your own is challenging but if you have a teacher you admire and respect and a community of fellow students who are counting on you, youll show up every day.
-- Your recipes are so beautiful, approachable and inventive. What is your process when it comes to developing recipes?
Thank you! Sometimes Im inspired by meals Ive had while travelling but mostly I draw inspiration from whatever produce I have on hand. I love combining flavors and experimenting with spices and herbs to elevate something simple and make it unique.
Fun and Inspiration
-- What is something you are particularly excited about at the moment?
Im excited to be incorporating more Ayurveda and wellness themes into my work. Its a big part of my life and I want to share it with others so they can feel empowered to heal themselves. Ill be teaching my first Ayurvedic workshop in the Spring here in Seattle which should be a lot of fun.
-- What do you do to unwind or treat yourself?
I love a good pedicure or a trip to the Korean spa for a soak and body scrub. But more often I find myself going for a walk or taking myself out to tea if I need a boost.
-- A book/­­song/­­movie/­­piece of art to feed the soul:
Book - Mary Oliver New and Selected Poems
Song/­­Album - No Hard Feelings The Avett Brothers
Piece of Art - Satsuki Shibuya
-- What are your favorite places to eat in Seattle?
We dont eat out all that often, but when we do we usually head to Delancey , Seawolf , The Whale Wins or Frankie and Jos .
-- We are captivated by Joan Didion’s compact travel packing list. What are some essential objects that would be in yours?
-Earplugs
– Anxiety Soother
-A headlamp
-Licorice tea
-A big scarf
– Lip balm
-A snack (always)
-- Is there anyone you would like to hear from next in this interview series?
Jessie Snyder of Faring Well
Photos by Sasha Swerdloff and Renee Byrd
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This article takes a look at recipes for vegan gingerbread cookies in an attempt to help you find the perfect one for your holiday celebrations.
The post 7 recipes for Vegan Gingerbread Cookies for the Holidays appeared first on VegKitchen.

Vegan Chocolate Pecan Pie with Dates and Chai spice. All the pecan pie with chocolate. Derby Pie. Glutenfree with gf crust. Vegan Pecan Pie. Soyfree Recipe.
So! Lets get to posts just before the break in all that holiday mood, planning and travels. This Quick Pecan Pie with chocolate chips, loads of pecans, and dates instead of the sugar works out really well for a decadent deseert. Serve with whipped coconut cream (so many whipped coconut toppings in the market this season!), or vanilla ice cream and some vegan caramel.
Pecans get toasted, then tossed with some cinnamon, Dates get blended with non dairy milk, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla and some flour to make the base which is a mix of custard and cookie when baked. Pecans, chocolate chips are mixed in and baked until set. Chill if needed. Make ahead and enjoy it the whole week!Continue reading: Vegan Chocolate Pecan Pie – Glutenfree optionThe post Vegan Chocolate Pecan Pie – Glutenfree option appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Sheet pans are having a moment, and we are here for it. Once a kitchen tool relegated to holiday cookie baking, theyre finally getting the due they deserve when it comes to being the star of The Big Show: Dinner. Veggie lovers have long known the beauty of a tray of roasted vegetables. Imagine the […]

Happy Halloween! If you’re anything like us, you’re probably planning to snack on some festive vegan treats tonight. Candy, pumpkin-flavored everything…but do you have any black cat skeleton cookies?? We think these cookies from Something Vegan are an absolute must for any Halloween celebration. How cool do they look?! And in typical Something Vegan fashion, this recipe is quick and easy to make. You still have time to whip some of these babies up for your festivities tonight! Read the full recipe in the video description here.
The post Black Cat Skeleton Cookies (Vegan & Gluten-Free) appeared first on The Veggie Blog.

Want to enjoy some sweet treats this Halloween but don’t want to get the store-bought, super processed, non-vegan candy? Well Mind Over Munch has found a way for you to have your (vegan) candy and eat it too! In this recipe video she shares how to create homemade Twix, Butterfingers, and Cookies & Cream bars! You can feel better giving your kids this candy because you’ll know exactly what’s in it, and that it’s also vegan. Can’t get much better than that, right? Well, what if we said all of this candy was super easy to make? Yep, take a look and give these a whirl! Read the full recipes here.
The post DIY Vegan Halloween Candy Recipes appeared first on The Veggie Blog.

This post was created in Partnership with Nuts.com
Coming to you with my favorite, easy treat as of late. Though the desserts section of our recipe index has plenty of bar recipes of all kinds (check out our lemon bars, ‘twix’ bars, matcha lime bars, etc.), I can’t stop coming back to them as one of my favorite dessert formats. These cookie dough ones are a little different though – they are shaped into perfectly indulgent, bite-sized treats. They are: made with pantry ingredients, low-maintenance in preparation, gluten-free and vegan, and they really do taste like cookie dough!
Since the concept of eating raw cookie dough is non-existent where I come from, I was very skeptical when I first found out about it some years ago. My mind was quickly changed when I tried one of the crazy Ben & Jerry’s flavors involving chunks of cookie dough, dispersed throughout their ice cream. I get it now. I really do.
Our cookie dough is a bit less indulgent and more nourishing than the average, but still tastes rich and perfectly decadent. It’s made with flours that are okay to eat in their raw form – almond (made of just almonds) and coconut (made of coconut pulp), and the buttery element comes from tahini or cashew butter. Once mixed with a bit of coconut oil, maple syrup and cacao nibs, it’s remarkable how much the stuff actually tastes like chocolate chip cookie dough. Add a coating of tahini chocolate to that, and you’re in business. I haven’t yet met anyone who wasn’t immediately impressed by these bites.
All the ingredients for this recipe come straight from my favorite online bulk foods shop, Nuts.com. Though we often talk about them on this blog, I never tire of marveling at their amazing selection. It’s true bulk food heaven. They also take real pride in the quality of their ingredients, and it really shows. I haven’t been able to find juicier dried fruit anywhere else. AND they roast their nuts the same day they are shipped! I love seeing that type of care put into businesses, and I’m always grateful to have Nuts.com as a sponsor.
Hope you’ll give these bites a try!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites Print Ingredients for the chocolate chip cookie dough ½ cup almond flour ½ cup coconut flour generous pinch of sea salt 1 tablespoon maca powder (optional) ½ cup tahini, cashew butter, or a mixture of both 2 tablespoons coconut oil 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup ¼ cup cacao nibs for the chocolate layer ½ cup dark chocolate chips 1-2 tablespoons tahini or cashew butter 1 tablespoon coconut oil 1 tablespoon maca powder (optional) Instructions to make the chocolate chip cookie dough Prepare an 8 x 8 square dish and line it with parchment paper, extending the edges up the sides for easy removal later on. Combine the almond and coconut flours with the salt, maca powder, if using, tahini/­­cashew butter, coconut oil, and maple syrup in a food processor. Mix until well-combined. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and fold in the cacao nibs. You can also mix all the ingredients by hand in a bowl. Press the cookie dough mixture into the bottom of the lined dish to create an even layer. to make the chocolate layer and assemble Melt the chocolate chips on a double boiler. With the heat still on, add in the tahini/­­cashew butter, coconut oil, and maca, if using. Stir everything together until smooth and turn off the heat. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cookie dough layer in the baking dish. Spread into an even layer with a spoon. Place the dish into the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes, or until the chocolate layer is hardened. Lift the cookie out of the dish, using the extended sides of the parchment paper, and place it onto a cutting board. Start by cutting the cookie in half lengthwise and crosswise with a sharp knife. Then continue cutting each piece in half until you have 1 cookie dough bites. Alternatively, make them any shape or size you want. Enjoy! 3.5.3226
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We went to Italy earlier this month and visited the Amalfi Coast and Rome. Having visited the Abruzzo region a few years ago, I continue to be amazed at how different Italy is from region to region. They are almost like separate, tiny countries. It was a great trip – we lucked out with the weather, all our extensive train, plane, bus and boat journeys went pretty smoothly, and we got to see so many breathtaking things. The only complaint we had is a classic one – not enough time there. Below are some photos from the trip, as well as some notes and suggestions that we hope will be useful to future travelers :)
Amafli Coast
Our first impression was that this is an amazingly beautiful area that’s been completely overrun by tourism. That being said, there are still ways to enjoy it less like a tourist and more like a visitor, and it’s honestly so breathtaking that it’s very worth the visit.
We stayed in Vettica, a quiet village right next to Amalfi, in a tiny Airbnb with a big terrace overlooking the cliffs and the sea. For us, it was the best of both worlds. We saw close to no tourists in Vettica, and instead got to see how people lead their lives in such an amazing setting. We watched locals going to church, to the market, feeding their cats, and being completely unaffected by the copious amounts of stairs in their cliffside neighborhoods (we were out of breath every time). Yet Amalfi was close enough (still a 45 minute walk or a stressful bus ride, but totally doable) that we had access to the boats and buses that shuttle people to Capri, Positano, and other beautiful places on the coast. It was really nice to have some distance from Amalfi, because it’s incredibly crowded with tour groups on any given day, but you have to go through it to get pretty much anywhere on the coast.
Capri
Once we got to Capri, we were wishing that we could spend the night there. There’s so much to do and it’s so incredibly beautiful. Take the chairlift up to Monte Solaro, the highest peak, to see the insane panorama that opens up. Walk around both Capri and Anacapri. Capri is better for partying and Anacapri – for quiet walks on tiny streets. Visit the Church of San Michele in Anacapri to see the intricate, hand-painted floor. Eat torta caprese and caprese sandwiches in the spirit of true tourism :)
A complete must is a visit to the Villa San Michele, a villa built by Axel Munthe, the Swedish physician and author. Munthe was a collector of classical artifacts, so the whole villa is tastefully decorated by objects from the antiquity, some of which were found right on site during the construction of the villa. There is a lush garden, a breathtaking panorama of the island and the sea, and every inch of the place is pristine and photogenic.
Positano
Although Positano is an incredibly beautiful town with stunning architecture, we concluded that we would have been better off having a second day in Capri instead of coming here. The reason: it is swamped with tourists and touristy shops in a way that feels quite forced and concentrated (Capri, though also very touristy, had a more spread out feel). Maybe we went to the wrong places? If you have more than four days on the Amalfi coast, which is all we had, we would still recommend coming here. It also largely depends on your goals for your travels, of course :)
Ravello
We went here mainly because the host of our favorite Russian travel show visited the town in one of the episodes, and it looked totally breathtaking. Ravello is a town very high in the mountains, and the bus ride up took us on some of the tightest serpentines we’ve ever seen. The views from the top are the pay off, and the air feels different – very much like the freshest mountain air.
Another beautiful villa to visit is the Villa Cimbrone in Ravello, full of ancient structures, fountains, sculptures, a beautiful garden and yet another breathtaking panorama.
Food
We were surprised to learn that the region is actually not known for its food, and finding a good, authentic meal isn’t easy because large amounts of tourists equal large amounts of tourist trap restaurants. It is Italy however, where even bad food is decent. We did manage to find some gems, but Rome really took the prize over Amalfi in the culinary department. Here are a few favorites:
Pizzeria Da Nino, Conca dei Marini
A charming, small restaurant in the town neighboring Vettica, with home-cooked food and a super charming owner (Nino!) that greets you at the door and is easy to understand even when you don’t speak a word of Italian. Go for the fresh-made pasta.
Al Pesce d’Oro, Vettica
A restaurant at a bed and breakfast in Vettica with good pizza. We went for the zucchini and squash blossom one and were pleasantly surprised at how solid and tasty it was.
Da Ferdinando, Positano
An outdoor restaurant right on the beach in Positano, with a really fun atmosphere and tasty dishes.
La Vecchia Cantina, Ravello
When visiting Ravello, lunch presented itself as a problem, because we didn’t research anything beforehand. We wandered off the central square and into this restaurant, and ended up having a pretty solid meal with very nice service.
Bar Ferraro, Anacapri
Went here when visiting Capri to try the mandatory torta caprese. It was very good, and so were the little frozen ricotta shortbread cookies.
Rome
We are so completely in love with Rome. We only had three days there, which is nothing! It was hard to cover everything we wanted, but we tried our best. We stayed in a really cool Airbnb near Campo de Fiori, which is a centrally located square that’s busy at all times of the day. Luckily, our actual location was on a very quiet, narrow street, so it was the best of both worlds. We visited the main historic sites (the Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon etc.), as well as the Jewish Ghetto, Trastevere, Testaccio and Monti. Below are some favorites.
Sites
The obvious: the Forum, the Colosseum, Ponte Sant’Angelo, Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon. Even though the Pantheon was incredibly crowded, it was still super impressive. This inscription on Raphael’s burial is still in my mind: ‘Here lies Raphael, by whom nature herself feared to be outdone while he lived, and when he died, feared that she herself would die.‘ Wow.
Churches: Santa Maria del Popolo, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, San Luigi dei Francesi, Santa Maria in Trastevere, it’s endless really :)
Food
La Montecarlo
A really fun place that serves Roman-style thin crust pizza and more, crowded with locals at any given time. They casually line each new customer’s table with white paper in place of a tablecloth, and write out the check on the paper at the end of the meal, from memory. The service is fast and efficient. We liked the super thin-crusted pizza (endless topping options), the pesto pasta and mushroom pasta, and of course, the arancini (fried rice balls served as an app).
Roscioli
If you’ve ever watched any food & travel shows about Rome, chances are Roscioli was featured as a mecca for everything delicious in the center of the city. Roscioli has a whole cluster of eateries right near Campo de Fiori: a deli/­­restaurant, a cafe with a coffee counter and bite-sized pastries, a bakery, and a full-on pizza restaurant called Emma.
The coffee at the cafe is excellent. At the bakery, get any of the delicious by-the-slice pizzas that they are putting out all day, as well as the bread. We liked the bread so much, we smuggled a loaf home in our luggage. If you go to Emma, definitely try the pizza, since it’s the specialty there, and apparently a whole lot of effort went into developing the pizza dough recipe. If you go to the restaurant/­­deli, Katie Parla has some great advice on navigating the menu there.
Antico Forno Cordella (or Urbani)
If you find yourself in the Jewish Ghetto in the morning or afternoon, stop in here for a slice of their delicious, thin and crispy pizza rossa.
Pianostrada
A fun dinner place with neat decor and a more modern, deconstructed take on Roman classics.
Urbana 47
If you go to the Colosseum, you might as well stop here for lunch, as it’s about a 10 minute walk away. They focus on local and seasonal ingredients, and we really loved every pasta dish we ordered here. (Thank you Pauline for the recommendation!)
Sant’Eustacchio il Caffe
We really enjoyed sitting at an outside table here with a cappuccino and a cornetti (both very good), watching the morning world go by. Go here on your way to the Pantheon and/­­or Piazza Navona, both are super close. Don’t miss the church Sant’Eustachio that’s right there, with a beautifully sculpted deer head on the facade.
Volpetti
If you are in the mood to visit a serious deli, check out Volpetti in Testaccio. They carry an overwhelming amount of cheeses, meats, olives, marinated veggies, pizza by the slice, and fried snacks. They are also able to vacuum wrap anything you buy, so that you can put the stuff in your luggage with little fear of it being taken away at the airport.
Sack Food
Another really interesting delicatessen that carries really unusual cheeses and meats. If you are anything like us and gift food as travel gifts to your omnivore friends, this place is great.
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A healthy plant-based diet doesnt have to skip dessert! Loren Brill, founder of Sweet Lorens, built her cookie dough company on a healthy foundation. Her four all-natural cookie dough products contain no hydrogenated oils, no trans fats, no high fructose corn syrup, and no artificial flavors. What Sweet Lorens products do use are whole grains, natural sugar, and high-quality chocolate. Its a health-conscious way to treat yourself on Meatless Monday that wont sabotage your diet!
Loren Brill
The story of Sweet Lorens explains why Brill focused on using only the best ingredients in her products. After beating cancer, she became very conscious of the foods she ate and their ingredients. To ensure that her own products reflect her personal mission, she doesnt include anything she cant pronounce and sticks to simple, whole-food ingredients in her simple, clean recipes. Brill says:
“At Sweet Loren’s, we are on a mission to change the way Americans bake and satisfy their sweet tooth. We’re excited to partner with Meatless Monday and promote our mission to eat better-tasting, better-for-you food while taking care of the Earth. I created a delicious dessert that will pair well with any meatless dinner. Once a week, you can make a whole meal that is plant-based and completely indulgent!”
Sweet Berry Crumble
As an added bonus, Brill features additional ways to prepare her cookie dough if youre feeling more adventurous! Check out this video that uses Sweet Lorens new Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk cookie dough to make a guilt-free sweet berry crumble on Meatless Monday.
Visit Sweet Lorens web site to see where you can find their products and dont forget to download their coupon for $1.00 off!
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